Transsexual postal worker convicted of hiding mail
A postman who is on the NHS waiting list for gender reassignment surgery has been convicted of hiding and dumping post.
43-year-old Michael Pearson, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, told Dewsbury Magistrates Court that gangs of youths were victimising him during his postal round in Birstall, throwing stones at him and taunting him about his effeminate appearance.
In an attempt to shorten his round, Pearson began hoarding post at home or throwing it away.
Appearing in court in female attire, he admitted hoarding 234 parcels and disposing of 29 others in a supermarket car park.
Pearson was seen putting the parcels in the bin at a Tesco car park.
His house, which he shares with his wife and six-year-old son, was searched last September.
Pearson was charged with criminal damage and delaying postal packages.
He pleaded guilty, and last Thursday was given a suspended prison sentence, 150 hours of community service and ordered to pay £300 costs by magistrates.
After the hearing, Pearson made a statement outside court, apologising to the Royal Mail.
“I am so sorry for what I have done and for blackening their name. I did not do anything maliciously.
“My life was being made hell and I could not cope with it. I believe the attacks made me slide into a kind of depression,” he said, according to the Daily Mail.